Shreyas Iyer and Joe Root are among the top five batters to watch out for in ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is set to begin in less than a fortnight. Hosts Pakistan will enter the tournament as defending champions in what promises to be a thrilling competition, which will also feature matches in Dubai.
Historically, white-ball games in this part of the subcontinent have largely favoured batters, and we can expect the Champions Trophy to be a high-scoring affair.
In this article, we will discuss five potential batters who could dominate the tournament in the coming weeks.
Virat Kohli
Arguably the best ODI batter of the last 15 years, Virat Kohli has endured a forgettable few months in international cricket.
However, when it comes to ODIs, the star batter has remained at his prolific best. In his last major tournament, the 2023 World Cup, Kohli amassed 765 runs and was named Player of the Tournament for his stunning performances. Overall, he scored 1,377 runs that year at an average of 72, including six centuries.
Kohli should be in a good frame of mind as he represents India in the format he once dominated. Despite not having scored a century in the Champions Trophy yet, he boasts an exceptional average of 88.16, with 529 runs in just 12 innings.
With this likely being his last Champions Trophy, the legendary India batter will be eager to bow out on a high. Read More: Strongest contenders for title glory in Champions Trophy 2025
Babar Azam
The current World No.1 ODI batter is second only to Virat Kohli in terms of the highest average in the format. However, much like his India No.3 counterpart, Babar Azam hasn’t had the best of times in international cricket recently. Runs may have dried up for Babar in recent outings, but ODI cricket remains his strongest suit. He has scored 1,293 runs in his last 30 innings.
With the Champions Trophy taking place in Pakistan, Babar should be considered an early favorite to top the run charts. After all, he boasts a staggering average of 73.55 in home conditions, amassing 1,471 runs in just 22 innings.
Rohit Sharma
One player the entire country eagerly anticipates to perform is India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma. The right-hander has endured a woeful run in Test cricket, managing just 164 runs across his last 15 innings in what was a forgettable red-ball season for the team.
These are alarming numbers for a player of Rohit's calibre and ability. However, much like Kohli and Babar, his strongest format is ODI, where he has amassed over 10,000 runs and remains the only batter to have struck three double centuries.
Although he hasn’t had the best start to the ODI season against England, this format presents the perfect opportunity for Rohit to rediscover his touch.
Joe Root
Joe Root hadn't played white-ball cricket for England for a while before making his return to the ODI team in the ongoing series against India. However, his impressive numbers in the SA20 league (279 runs in 8 innings) and his ever-prolific form in Test cricket suggest that he could have a dream Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE.
Root is a master of playing spin, and the batting-friendly conditions in the subcontinent perfectly suit his style. He has already amassed 431 runs in just 9 innings in the Champions Trophy, and England will be counting on the right-hander to help them bounce back in ICC tournaments.
Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has emerged as one of India's batting mainstays in ODI cricket. He scored 530 runs in 11 innings during the ICC World Cup 2023 at a sensational strike rate of 113.24. While Iyer has not featured for India in T20Is or Tests recently, his performances in the domestic circuit have been encouraging.
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy the middle-order batter amassed 325 runs in just five innings, including two centuries. The IPL-winning skipper has also started his road to the Champions Trophy on a positive note, hammering a 36-ball 59 in the first ODI against England.
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